Corridor Indicator Lamp Extension Unit for Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Corridor indicator lamps face visibility issues in curved corridors, areas with exposed brickworks, or near wall projections, leading to potential oversight due to obstruction.

Innovation Solution

A corridor indicator lamp design featuring a base assembly with compartments and an extension unit that can be mounted to increase visibility, including a set with adjustable height covers and a retrofit kit to enhance visibility in challenging environments, utilizing extension walls and pockets for light distribution and shielding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the corridor indicator lamp is mounted on a standard base assembly, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is easy, but the visibility is insufficient in curved corridors or areas with wall projections

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator lamp is divided into a base assembly and a separate extension unit. The extension unit can be attached to the base assembly when additional visibility is needed in curved corridors or areas with obstructions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity for standard installations while providing enhanced visibility options when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static base assembly to a dynamic configuration by allowing the optional attachment of an extension unit. This enables the device to adapt its effective height and visibility characteristics based on the specific installation environment, whether straight corridors or curved areas with projections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the corridor indicator lamp uses a fixed height design, then the manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture are high, but the adaptability to different mounting locations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to mounting locationsVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator lamp system is segmented into a standard base assembly and an optional extension unit. This allows manufacturers to produce a simple, standardized base assembly that is easy to manufacture, while providing the flexibility to add height adaptation through the separate extension unit when specific mounting locations require it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base assembly is designed as a universal platform that can function both as a standalone unit for standard installations and as a base for the extended configuration when additional height is needed. This multi-functionality allows a single base design to serve multiple mounting scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of moving object

If the corridor indicator lamp is positioned close to the wall, then the device complexity is low, but the visibility distance is insufficient in obstructed areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility distanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the lateral projection of the indicator lamp, the solution extends the visible information vertically away from the wall surface. The extension unit creates an elevated display position that projects information into the corridor space, allowing visibility over obstructions without increasing the device's footprint on the wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3118842B1Corridor indicator lamp comprising an extension unit
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 CCS CARE COMM SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP3118842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3118842B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3118842B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a corridor indicator lamp (1). The corridor indicator lamp (1) comprises a base assembly (12) which includes a plurality of compartments (4) and a plurality of separator walls (46). The compartments (4) are open towards a front side (14) of the corridor indicator lamp (1), the separator walls (46) separate at least some of the plurality of compartments (4). In order to improve visibility of the indicator lamp (1) when it is mounted at locations where it may be partly obscured from view, an extension unit (54) is provided according to the invention. The extension unit is configured to be mounted to the base assembly (12) and has a plurality of extension walls (58). When the extension unit (54) is mounted to the base assembly (12), at least some of the plurality of compartments (4) are extended in a direction pointing away from the base assembly (12), thus increasing the height (22) of the corridor indicator lamp (1). An at least partly transparent cover (16) may be further provided, which is adapted to receive the extension unit (54) and may be configured to be attached to the base assembly (12) as a replacement to a flatter cover (16).